Police were called to the crash just before 9.40am today.

Nobody was injured when both groups began firing at each other.

Two police cars were damaged near Palmerston North overnight.

Health experts are alert to a highly mutated COVID-19 variant that has swept the US and may become a common strain as Australia moves into winter.

The BA.3.2 strain, nicknamed cicada, has spread across at least 25 states in the US during a bitterly cold winter wave and has also been detected in two dozen other countries, including Australia.

Here's everything to know about COVID BA.3.2 (cicada).

What is the COVID Cicada variant (BA.3.2)?

The COVID BA.3.2 variant (COVID Cicada) is a highly mutated version of the Omicron subvariant.

BA.3.2 was first detected in South Africa in November 2024, but cases have recently surged across several continents.

Cicada was marked as a covid variant "under monitoring" by the World Health Organisation on December 5, 2025.

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According to the U.S Centre for Disease Control (CDC), detections of BA.3.2 began to increase in September last year and peaked in December across the U.S.

The strain has also filtered across other parts of the northern hemisphere, making up nearly one third of COVID cases in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands in the last few months of 2025.

As of February 11, 2026, BA.3.2 had been detected in at least 23 countries, including countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania.

What are the symptoms of the new Cicada variant?

Symptoms of Cicada include most of your standard signs of COVID-19, such as:

• 'Razor blade' sore throat
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Loss of sense of smell and/or taste
• Body aches
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

Why is BA.3.2 nicknamed Cicada?

BA.3.2 was nicknamed 'cicada' by American evolutionary biology professor T. Ryan Gregory, according to Today.com.

Gregory coined the variant after its namesake insect, which is dormant underground for several years before emerging.

Similarly, BA.3.2 has been circulating since late 2024, but cases have only recently begun to soar, particularly over an icy winter period in the US.

Has the Cicada COVID-19 variant reached Australia?

Cicada has been lurking across Australia for a while now, in fact our highest rates of the variant occurred last winter.

But Deakin University Epidemiology chair Professor Catherine Bennett said it hasn't become the dominant COVID strain in Australia.

"It did take off, but it didn't take off completely," she said.

"It seems to be taking off in the northern hemisphere at the moment, so more people will bring it back home.

"It may well be a feature of our winter wave in a month or two, but it's not new and we're not as immunologically naive to this variant because it's been around.

Bennett recommends high-risk groups consider a booster dose in the coming month.

"We don't quite know what winter will look like, but it's a timely reminder that people who are recommended to have a booster dose should consider it as we head into April," she said.

"Being vaccinated before the wave starts gives you a couple of weeks to build your immunity."

How is it different to other COVID variants?

Cicada is a heavily mutated variant of the Omicron strain.

It has additional spike protein mutations, which is what makes it unique from other subvariants.

But it doesn't necessarily present differently to other COVID variants, Bennett said.

"It just means it looks a bit different to our immune system so we don't act as efficiently to fight it off," Bennett said.

Do current COVID-19 vaccines protect against the new strain?

The 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccines will provide broad protection against COVID-19.

"The vaccines don't specifically target all three or four dominant variants, but you do get some cross-protection," Bennett told nine.com.au.

Recent lab studies found Cicada can evade some antibodies from the vaccine, meaning the chances of infection may be a little higher, even if you are vaccinated, according to the CDC.

"We've already seen it here, it does increase the chance of infection just because it's that bit different to our immune systems," Bennett said.

"You still might have a different risk of coming down with COVID this coming winter, especially if you didn't come into contact with the BA.3.2 variant last year.

"If people have managed to avoid infection in the last few years, particularly if you're in that over-65 sub-group, it's worth talking to their doctors about having a booster dose now."

Is the Cicada variant more dangerous?

There is nothing to suggest COVID BA.3.2 is any worse than previous COVID-19 strains, Bennett said.

"Fortunately, while it's associated with more spread and it's now taking over, more so in the Northern Hemisphere, it's not featuring heavily in hospital cases," Bennett said.

"It doesn't look like it's producing more severe illness."

Bennett said that while previous COVID strains such as Omicron quickly became the dominant variant, Cicada has failed to take hold.

"The other thing that's different now, which emerged through our winter is we didn't see this or any of the other new ones take over completely," she said.

"Usually one takes off and the other disappears, but we [now] have three or four strains that are equally dominant."

A WHO report of BA.3.2 also found the strain poses "low additional public health risk" compared with other circulating Omicron variants.

What should I do if I test positive for the Cicada variant?

The health advice for COVID cicada remains consistent with standard COVID-19 health advice.

The Department of Health advises COVID-positive individuals to stay home until symptoms have subsided.

You can manage and treat your symptoms at home, but if they get worse you should see a doctor.

Wear a face mask in shared areas if you live with others and try to isolate yourself to a separate bedroom and bathroom if you can.

If you have to leave the house, wear a face mask and try to socially distance as much as possible. You should also avoid higher risk settings including aged care facilities, hospitals and other healthcare settings.

If you are in a high-risk group, your doctor can provide you with a free oral antiviral treatment that is designed to to reduce the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

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A shocking report is blowing the lid on where government funding, meant for vulnerable Queensland children, is really being spent.

It's costing Queenslanders millions every year and is at the detriment of more than 2300 vulnerable kids across the state.

The damning report from KPMG was commissioned by the Child Safety Inquiry and revealed some providers have been operating without proper oversight or regulation from the government.

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The cost of residential care has exploded from $200 million to $1.1 billion over the past decade.

Without reform that's expected to balloon even further, to $7 billion by 2030.

Some company CEOs were found to be paying themselves excessive salaries, some between $400,000 to $679,000 a year.

In one instance, a top executive took home 21 per cent of the overall revenue, with all the money coming from the government.

Instead of funding vital care for children, the report found one provider spent $340,000 on luxury items including $242,000 on gold, $100,000 on cryptocurrency and two Mercedes Benz cars.

"It's just beggars belief how that can happen," child protection reformist Hetty Johnston told 9News.

"What we want now is action. What we don't want now is just to wait for another set of inquiry, recommendations to come down and then wait for the government to respond."

What's shocking is that 68 per cent of operators are unlicenced and one of those organisations received nearly $34 million in funding last financial year.

These findings will now play a vital role in the final two weeks of the Child Safety Commission of Inquiry , starting on Tuesday.

Recommendations will be handed down on May 22.

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A growing number of Australians could be living with a dangerous heart condition that can cause "the worst, most devastating strokes" – and they have no clue.

Now scientists are fighting to prove the condition can be detected before it's too late.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart rhythm disorder that increases the risk of heart failure and stroke, and has been linked to dementia.

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Every day, six Australians die due to AF but symptoms can be vague, like breathlessness and a racing heart.

It's one of the most common heart conditions in Australia and its prevalence in Aussies aged 55-plus is projected to double over the next 20 years.

"If you've reached the age of 40, you already have a one in three lifetime chance of developing AF," Professor Ben Freedman OAM told nine.com.au.

More than half a million Aussies currently live with it, but many more people may have undiagnosed cases that won't be detected until a stroke occurs.

"These strokes tend to be at the worst end of the spectrum, devastating strokes that incapacitate and cause people to need chronic care," Freedman said.

"These are really the worst sort of strokes that you want to do without [and] I think we will prevent them."

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Despite the concerning statistics, there's currently no national screening program for AF.

Freedman, alongside researchers from the Heart Research Institute (HRI) and the University of Sydney, is trying to change that.

They're running the world's largest clinical trial investigating whether systematic screening for AF can prevent stroke and so far things look promising.

More than 600 Australians aged over 70 across NSW, WA and Tasmania have already taken part in the trial.

Participants used a handheld ECG device at home to check their heart rhythm four times a day for three weeks.

A number of previously undiagnosed cases of AF have been identified; cases that likely would have remained undetected until a stroke hit, if not for trial screening.

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But the government isn't ready take the trial screening program national yet.

"The government says 'if you can show us you've got fewer strokes, and that it's cost effective, we'll fund it,'" Freedman explained.

"It's not enough to be a good idea that looks as though it'll work, you have to prove it."

Researchers at HRI and the University of Sydney intend to do just that.

Freedman hopes to save older Aussies from debilitating strokes and save their families the emotional and financial cost of supporting that individual after a debilitating stroke.

Reducing the number of strokes caused by AF could also ease pressure on nursing homes and aged care facilities, where many stroke patients end up.

The trial will run for another three years, after which Freedman hopes the government will back a national screening program like the existing breast cancer and bowel cancer screenings.

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Regional taxi drivers and operators are still dealing with the devastating ripple effect of skyrocketing fuel prices despite promised relief from the government.

Some owners fear they will shut down if spiralling costs at the pump don't ease soon.

Crown Cabs director Jacqui Shephard said her fleet of 35 drivers across Victoria are doing it "tough".

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She said the taxi company was already struggling with the rising popularity of rideshare apps and independent operators who shirk the regulations.

"We're looking at things like… do we stay open? And we've been looking at that for a little while," Shephard told Nine.com.au.

"Because we wear the fuel cost, which means that, with any more costs going up, it's not even worth us staying open."

Shephard said Crown Cabs' regular customers in regional communities rely on the service for wheelchair-friendly trips or to attend healthcare appointments.

Often, drivers are heading back to town with no passengers.

These "empty" rides still use up fuel and after diesel surged to over $3.20 a litre, that is potentially hundreds of dollars wasted.

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"Our costs have gone up considerably," Shephard added.

"It's really tough. And there doesn't seem to be any reaction or any support from the state or federal government."

Some taxi drivers have reported seeing their weekly diesel bill double from around $400 to over $800.

But taxi companies are not able to pass on the cost of fuel to customers due to the industry's tight regulations.

There is legislation capping the maximum fares that taxis can charge in Victoria, meaning surcharges to cope with the cost of fuel are out of the question.

Even if they could, Shephard said her customers are "already struggling enough" as it is.

"We want to be there to help those people. We're not going to be raising our prices ridiculously – and we can't," she said.

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Meanwhile, rideshare companies DiDi and Uber have been able to introduce temporary levies to help out drivers.

Shephard said there has been a rise of independent drivers who refuse to play by the rules too.

"We have to abide by everything," Shephard said.

"And you've got all the idependents who are just rogue cowboys who take work away from those doing the right thing and give the industry a bad name."

For companies like Crown Cabs, it remains to be seen if the federal government's decision to halve the fuel excise for three months will help lower costs.

The government convened in a national cabinet meeting yesterday to urgently discuss ways to ease the supply issues and high prices impacting motorists.

Fuel availability is dwindling around the country as stock is depleted.

In Victoria alone, out of a total of 1,627 petrol stations, 82 are without diesel and 40 are without any petrol at all.

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A survivor of one of South Australia's most notorious paedophiles has revealed his frustration at finding out his attacker, Anthony Munro, will soon be released from jail on parole.

Andrew McIntyre said he wasn't formally notified about the decision, instead, another victim of the same predator had to break the news to him.

Decades on, McIntyre is still trying to comprehend the monstrous abuse he endured as a child.

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"I have children of my own, and I can't think of anything more horrid," McIntyre told 9News.

He was preyed on at just 9-years-old by family friend Munro.

"Before he started offending he used to be a friend of mine you know, so it's a very strange situation."

The paedophile and former scout leader is behind bars for the horrific abuse of a number of children, including McIntyre, between the 1960's and 1990's.

Now he's been granted parole, something at least one of his victims was notified about earlier this week, 9News understands.

McIntyre said he's frustrated he wasn't told.

"I've never received any notification – maybe that's my fault, I don't know," he said.

Lawyer Andrew Carpenter has worked with dozens of survivors of child sexual abuse and says running into an offender is the last thing they need.

"The last thing any victim survivor wants to do is be out in public and see an offender that's out when they thought they were in jail," Carpenter told 9News.

Munro was 72 when he was sentenced to 10 years and nine months' prison in 2017 for vile crimes in relation to McIntyre and another boy.

A third victim was identified three years later, adding more jail time.

"I was appalled by one year and six months for a third conviction of a known, proven paedophile," McIntyre said.

Carpenter said there needs to be a change to protect victims.

"Until the parliament passes laws to make sure sentences are longer this is just going to be a thing that keeps happening over and over again," he said.

A parole release date is still to be set but 9News understands there'll be strict conditions for Munro, including electronic monitoring and home detention. He's also not allowed to contact any of his victims.

Munro was questioned by police over the disappearance of the Beaumont children in 2016 who found no evidence linking him to the case.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)

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Heavy rain is forecast for the western South Island, especially the Westland ranges.

New South Wales service stations are slowly refilling their diesel stocks but tonight 150 are still without supply amid the Middle East war.

A change in buying habits is putting pressure on demand as Australia looks to its neighbours to keep the tankers coming. 

Despite the struggle to keep up with demand for diesel, there are signs extra supply is starting to flow in and out.  

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"Fuel is going out the door to service stations and farmers, and fuel is coming in the door at Australia's import terminals," Energy Minister Chris Bowens said.

Almost 100 service stations across the country were restocked overnight and 312 are now out of diesel compared to 410 yesterday with improvements in every state – but for farmers it's still not enough.

"We're five to six weeks into this war now, and we're running on empty, we're running on fumes," NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said.

Australia's emergency fuel stock levels remain stable at 39 days of petrol, 30 days of jet fuel and down just one day on last week to 29 for diesel.

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Buying habits are changing with more people filling up their tanks more often.

Viva Energy's Geelong refinery reported a 30 per cent rise in demand in the lead up to Easter this year.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said Aussies were still "stockpiling".

"Some of it is panic buying but it's also industry and agriculture accessing their diesel and using it differently," he said.

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While a record amount of fuel is on its way to Australia from the United States, the prime minister is still leaning on suppliers closer to home including a push to strengthen ties with Singapore which needs our gas.

"Anthony Albanese Penny Wong and myself have been in constant contact with our counterparts around the region, sharing notes about the crisis, sharing notes about helping each other through, getting assurances from other countries that they will be reliable energy suppliers just as we are reliable energy suppliers to them," Bowen added.

Planning is also underway for a possible visit to Australia from Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

If locked in it could be another chance to secure some of its oil supply in exchange for our energy resources.

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